2020-2023 Editorial Advisory Board: Meet New Board Member Charles Daniels

The next member of our new editorial advisory board is Charles (Charlie), Daniels. Charlie brings a unique finance background to the board in addition to sales, marketing and operations experience (and an active social media presence). He is currently the chief financial officer of Wepco Plastics in Middlefield, Connecticut.

Wepco Plastics is a family-owned company offering American-made parts through collaborative design, creative production quality, prototype tooling and rapid part production. The team specializes in rapid prototyping and short-run plastic injection molding with four-axis aerospace machining, fixturing and secondaries.

Of special note is Wepco’s experience with 3D printing. The company’s latest project has been testing the feasibility of injection-molded parts created in 3D-printed molds working with a few 3D printing vendors and the University of Connecticut.

Charlie has been with the company for seven years in his CFO role, developing and continuously assessing the company’s short- and long-term financial strategy by monitoring budgets, economic climate and the industry’s outlook. He also works to grow the business by focusing on improving operational and financial processes, cost containment, asset management and building strong internal and external relationships.

Charlie holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. He is a certified management accountant, a Six Sigma Green Belt and a Continuous Improvement Champion certified by ConnStep.

Before Wepco, he was a small business consultant, mentoring in budgeting, debt elimination, benefits, bookkeeping, improving credit, setting and reaching financial goals, financial statements, marketing, employee engagement and achieving exceptional customer service.

When it comes to working outside of Wepco Plastics, Charlie is Chairman of the Central CT Advanced Manufacturing Employer Partnership, as well as the Chairman of Hebron Schools Innovation Council. He also serves on the Goodwin College Advanced Manufacturing Council and the Middlesex Community College Advanced Manufacturing Council. He was recognized as CFO of the Year in 2017 by the Hartford Business Journal, as well as part of the 2018 American Mold Builders Association Educational Outreach National Campaign.

Charlie is an active volunteer with leadership roles in several community, educational and business organizations and is a speaker, mentor, facilitator and advisor.

He is excited to share his expertise with and passion for lean, six sigma, change management and workforce development with the board. However, he is also looking forward to discussing challenges and solutions involving business issues, culture, workflow and training. He is ready to give back to the industry in a new way and to meet other industry professionals.

Charlie lives with his wife, two daughters and his son, and enjoys playing guitar, CrossFit, reading, hiking, skiing and golf.